Animation Mentor's Software and Hardware Requirements

Because we are an online school, you must have a computer with an Internet connection, a headset with microphone, and a webcam. Your computer must also be able to run the required versions of Maya. Below you can see a list of all the hardware and software requirements you will need:

Operating System Requirements (One of the following)

Microsoft Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows 10

Apple Mac OS X 10.8.5, 10.9.x, or 10.10.x

Hardware Requirements

Three button mouse (a two button mouse will not work with Maya)

Headset with microphone

Webcam

4 GB of RAM (8GB recommended)

64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor

4GB of free disk space for installing Maya

If you're unsure that your system meeds the required hardware to run Maya, please make sure to look at the Maya system requirementsas well as Autodesk's recommended system hardware page. (We recommend matching to the latest Maya version requirements. This is to ensure that when later versions are supported, your system will be able to run them)

Software Requirements

Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox - RequiredAs an online school, a solid internet browser is a requirement. We strongly recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as your school browser as they are the most robust and will run the school campus best.Google ChromeMozilla Firefox

Acrobat Reader or any PDF Reader- RequiredA PDF reader is required to be able to read your course syllabus and many other important documents in Animation Mentor. We recommend Acrobat Reader, however any PDF reader should work.Acrobat Reader

Winzip or 7Zip - Required (Mac users can use the built-in Mac zip tool)A compression utility tool is essential to working with compressed zip files. Animation Mentor uses zip files in a few instances and being able to extract the files and content from the zips is necessary to work with them. We recommend Winzip or 7Ziphowever any compression utility tool can be used provided it works with .zip files.

Autodesk Maya - RequiredMaya 2015, 2016, or 2017 (Keep in mind that AMP in Maya will not work in versions of Maya above 2015 so if you have Maya 2016 or later you will have to use the standalone AMP Content Navigator)

Once Maya is installed, download the latest Maya service pack from Autodesk for all the latest updates and bug fixes.

Keyframe MP - RequiredKeyframe MP is a video player you can use to scrub and playback your animation after playblasting it from Maya.Keyframe MP WebsiteHow to Install Keyframe MPThe Free version is all you will need for the course. The paid version includes audio scrubbing and more features which may be very useful for later acting and dialogue classes but is not required.

VideoPad - RequiredVideoPad is video editing software you will use to encode your assignment videos to match the video requirements for Animation Mentor. It will also allow you to combine videos for progress reels, demo reels, and other uses.VideoPad WebsiteNote: You will need the Paid Home Edition of VideoPad (or another similar program able to encode files following the required upload procedures).

Image Editing Software - RequiredGIMP is a free image editing program you will use to resize, edit, and work with images. If you have other image editing software such as Photoshop, Clip Studio, or similar, you may use those as well.GIMP Website

The AM Menu/Tools - Required (Classes 01-06 & Creatures Workshops Only)The AM Menu is a set of tools such as the GUI Picker, Pose Master, and others. It also includes the rig licenser, which means that any of the advanced rigs will not open and will come in flattened if you do not have the AM Menu properly installed.Download Page - AnimationRigs.comIf you are having issues with the AM Menu, please check theAM Menu Knowledge Base for answers to many common problems.NOTE: If you are not in the Character Animation Classes or the Creatures Workshops, you do not need the AM Menu and it will not be available to you.

The AM Pipeline (AMP) - Required (Classes 01-06 & Creatures Workshops Only)The AM Pipeline, or AMP, is a cloud-based file storage which provides a safe, secure place to work on your assignments. It also allows for mentors or support staff to easily look at and help you with your files.Please make sure to read through and follow all of the tutorials provided in the AMP Orientation to have a better understanding of how to use AMP Download Page - PC / MacIf you are having issues with the AM Menu, please check the AMP Knowledge Basefor answers to many common problems.NOTE: If you are not in the Character Animation Classes or the Creatures Workshops, you do not need AMP and it will not be available to you

What can I expect on the first day of class?

On the first day of class, you will automatically be given full access to Animation Mentor. With so many new options available you may not know where to start! So here are our suggestions on what to do on the first day of class to get the most out of your Animation Mentor experience:

Watch all of the videos in the quick start series, found under AM News on the new campus.

Watch your first lecture! This lecture will introduce you to Animation Mentor and will undoubtedly build your excitement for animation even more! Don’t forget to take notes!

Update your about page in the “My Profile” area under your profile so your peers can learn more about you.

Read the Class Guidelines and follow the instructions and tutorials to become familiar with the Zoom tool.

Visit your class using the “My Courses” dropdown. From here, you can send a message to your class introducing yourself and share your excitement with your classmates and mentor! View the profiles and video journals of each of them to learn more about your fellow classmates with whom you will spend the next 12 weeks studying animation!

What lectures am I able to access?

You have access to the lectures specific to the class you are currently enrolled in. After completing a term with a passing grade, you will maintain access to the lectures you've had during that term.

To make the most of the term, we recommend taking notes on the key points of the lectures.

What do I have access to after I graduate from Animation Mentor?

Once you graduate from the Character Animation Program, you will gain access to Career Services. Career Services provides you with direct referral opportunities gained through our connection with studios in the industry and exclusive industry Q&As.

You will maintain access to the Student Site after graduation and will still be able to participate in the community.

When is the Animation Mentor mentor office closed?

What is the typical weekly schedule for a student?

Lectures are posted on Sundays each week. You can watch the lecture at any point from then until the end of the term. You are required to attend 1 one-hour Q&A session each week. We offer Q&A’s on a variety of days and times to accommodate a wide range of time zones and personal schedules. Homework is due on Sundays at 12pm Noon Pacific Time. Your mentor will review your assignment the following week in a recorded eCritique™.

Here is a sample plan for one week as an Animation Mentor student:Sunday:

Review your assignment and make any last adjustments before turning it in

Upload your homework by 12pm Noon Pacific Time

Comment on fellow students’ newly posted work on the Animation Mentor Campus

Watch the new lecture for the week and check out the new homework assignment, including any new rigs and assets for the assignment

Monday:

Start planning the week’s assignment

Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday:

Watch your recorded eCritique for the week and take notes

Work on the homework assignment a little bit each night

Attend your weekly Q&A session with your mentor

Attend any supplemental Q&A’s, if possible

Friday:

Focus on the homework assignment; try to get it close to finished

Saturday:

Finish the homework assignment or as close to finished as you can get so you only have minor edits to do on Sunday

Take a break! You worked hard this week

How much time should I plan to spend on my coursework?

We recommend spending 20-40 hours per week focused on animation while attending Animation Mentor. The time estimate depends on your skills in Maya, your skills as an animator, and where you are in the program. Included in this time estimate are our supplemental resources for you to take advantage of during your time here as well as your weekly Q&A and lecture.

It is possible to work full-time or attend another school full-time with very diligent time management. We offer Q&A’s on a variety of days and times to accommodate a wide range of time zones and personal schedules.

I want to talk to a current student or alumni from my country about Animation Mentor. Can you arrange that for me?

It is our policy to not release personal contact information of students, alumni, or mentors. We can suggest, however, utilizing our social networking pages (Facebook or Twitter) to see if anyone in the Animation Mentor community would be interested in meeting up with you.